Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
A Spiritual Journey Through Nepal Monasteries, Meditation & Mountain Trails
Nepal – Kathmandu – Nagarkot – Namo Buddha
The fun kicks off in one-of-a-kind Kathmandu, where you’ll hit the spiritual jackpot exploring shrines, palaces and pagodas with guides, who’ll share the lowdown on Hindu and Buddhist lore as you go. Then comes a rather more delicious Nepali rite of passage: making a pilgrimage to a local momo (Nepalese dumpling) joint – devotion comes in many forms after all...
That’s bound to leave a multitude of questions swirling around your head, so ask away during a meeting with a Buddhist monk at a local monastery. You’ll then be welcomed into a local family’s home for a cooking class, where it’s safe to say your dinner rotation back home is about to receive a Nepali-inspired upgrade.
Next, make tracks for Nagarkot, ticking off an ensemble of traditional villages and incense-swirled temples en route. And when you arrive, admire the Himalayan views that have been stealing hikers’ hearts for centuries on a guided trek along Nagarkot’s trails, overlooking the Kathmandu Valley.
Your pursuit of enlightenment reaches its pinnacle in Namo Buddha. Here, dial up the soul-searching during a private meditation session at Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery – the ultimate setting for peace and quiet. But this is Nepal, so serenity soon gives way to something a little more pulse-raising. Tackle the trails between Namo Buddha and Dhulikhel, ruminating on any revelations sparked from the morning’s meditation as you go...
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
The countdown is over, the bags are packed and excitement levels are officially sky-high: your adventure into the heart and soul of Nepal starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security, then celebrate accordingly with a tipple in the lounge before boarding. It’s a 14-hour overnight flight to Kathmandu (including a brief layover in a Middle Eastern hub), so fluff up your neck pillow and try to catch some shut-eye before landing the next morning.
When you touch down in the capital, you’ll be met at the airport and whisked away by private transfer to your centrally located guesthouse – your home for the next four nights.
Then, shake off the long-haul cobwebs poolside – dip, lounge, repeat – before surrendering to the spa, where treatments are rooted in ancient Himalayan rituals.
Come evening, tuck into Nepali fare at a nearby restaurant, starting with a mountain of momos (steamed dumplings).
Starry-eyed by all things spiritual? You’ll be in nirvana today exploring Kathmandu’s sacred sites.
Meet your local guide and discover UNESCO-listed Durbar Square, where kings may have ruled, but deities reign supreme. Step inside Shiva-dedicated Kasthamandap and Hanuman Dhoka, a former royal palace adorned with ancient inscriptions. Luckily, your guide is well-versed in deciphering them...
Join locals paying homage to the Kumari, a young girl believed to embody goddess Durga. She holds the title until she draws blood, then a successor is chosen. If fortune’s on your side, she might even appear at the window, much to the delight of the crowds below.
Switch spiritual gears at Swayambhunath Stupa, where Buddha’s all-seeing gaze watches over Kathmandu Valley and a third eye symbolises the wisdom to look within.
Has that inspired a few burning questions about Buddhism? Meet a monk from Palnge Monastery, with your guide serving as a translator. Ask away: how do you master meditation, what does karma really mean and – the big one – how do you achieve enlightenment?
Channel your inner zen (and charge your camera) – there’s more spiritual sightseeing on the agenda today.
Make the pilgrimage with your guide to Pashupatinath Temple, alongside Hindu and Buddhist devotees, drawn here to honour Shiva in his guise as the Lord of Animals. Admire deity-embellished stupas and pagodas as chants from saffron-robed sadhus (holy men who’ve renounced all worldly possessions) echo through the grounds.
Now that you know your Vishnu from your Ganesh, head to 14th-century Boudhanath Stupa. Learn how its design represents Buddhist cosmology’s elements: earth, water, fire, air and ether, before joining worshippers circling clockwise, keeping the stupa on your right as a sign of respect.
Keen to add a few Nepalese classics to your culinary repertoire? Tonight, join a local family for a cooking class. Chop, stir and season your way through famous dishes, discovering how fragrant herbs and fresh ingredients work in harmony, before untying your aprons and enjoying your creations. Between bites, fire off any questions you have about Nepali culture and traditions...
Wolf down breakfast this morning, then meet your guide to explore Patan, an ancient city south of Kathmandu. You’ll soon see why it’s affectionately nicknamed Lalitpur (meaning ‘the wonderful place’) as you roam its time-warped streets.
Follow the throng of locals into the Royal Palace, once the stomping ground of Nepal’s Malla kings, decorated with depictions of Vishnu, placed here for his powers as protector of the universe (and, handily, the palace).
The divine line-up continues at temples honouring the deities of Krishna, Bhimsen and Shiva, immortalised in intricate stone carvings that may prompt some puzzled looks. Cue lots of pointing and explaining from your guide.
Wrap things up at the Buddhist Golden Temple and Minnath Mandir, both dedicated to Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva embodying the virtue of compassion.
Still raring to go? We can arrange another tour of Kathmandu, uncovering the city through a local lens.
This evening, bypass any dinner deliberations with a restaurant recommendation from our Concierge, who’ll know where the best Nepalese food is rustled up.
Rise and shine early this morning, then meet your driver-guide for a spin around Kathmandu Valley.
Your first port of call is the Newar village of Thimi, where, in its heyday, merchants streamed through on an ancient trade route, precious cargo in tow. The village remains a magnet for Hindus, who adorn its shrines with offerings of fruit and flowers for goddess Balkumari and a whole host of other deities.
Roll into Bhaktapur next (Nepal’s former capital), where a maze of monasteries leads to UNESCO-listed Durbar Square, serving up enough palatial splendour to rival those in Kathmandu and Patan.
Your driver will then turn the wheel north towards Changu Narayan, a Vishnu-devoted temple, home to Nepal’s oldest-known inscription.
After you’ve finished oohing and aahing, you’ll be privately transferred to Nagarkot, a sleepy Himalayan village just 30 minutes away. Here, settle into your traditional Nepali inn, your base for the next two nights. After dinner, cosy up for an early night – you have some high-altitude adventures on the horizon...
Lace up those boots and don your hiking gear – you're clocking up some mountain miles on a trek around Nagarkot today.
Meet your guide, who knows every twist and turn of the trail and comes armed with anything you’re missing – walking poles, anyone?
En route, admire views of sleepy villages, rolling farmland and native wildlife. If skies are clear, look up (way up) for a glimpse of mighty Manaslu, standing at a lofty 26,000ft.
When your legs inevitably start to tire, oblige with a pit stop at one of the teahouses along the route and warm up with a steaming cup of masala chiya (milk chai). That should put enough spring back in your step to conquer the final stretch...
After hiking back to your hotel (phew), feast on dal bat tarkari (vegetable curry infused with spices), a hearty Nepali staple beloved by hungry hikers.
In need of a little post-hike pampering? We can also arrange some soothing treatments at the hotel's spa.
Another day, another adventure. Meet your local driver this morning and hit the road for the one-and-a-half-hour drive to Namo Buddha. A road trip this exciting calls for an equally great soundtrack, so tune into our destination-specific playlist as you wind through the mist-draped hinterland.
When you arrive, settle in to your lodge – your peaceful retreat for the next two nights. Spend some time exploring your new mountain digs or simply enjoy some well-deserved downtime by making a beeline for the spa.
No prizes for deciphering Namo Buddha’s spiritual leanings...its Buddhist roots are right there in the name. These traditions extend to restaurant menus too, where vegetarian fare reigns supreme, so consider tonight your opportunity to give the local meat-free favourites a whirl...
Fancy taking your Buddhist immersion even further? We can also arrange a yoga class with a local yogi.
You’ve admired the temples, met the monks and learnt all about Buddhism – now it’s time to put that spiritual wisdom into practice by mastering the art of meditation.
The path to enlightenment requires a little exertion, according to Buddhist teachings, and today you’ll take that rather literally on the 30-minute uphill hike to Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery. A few puffs, pants and photo stops later (those Himalayan views warrant plenty), you’ll reach the top, where traditional Tibetan architecture is framed by fluttering prayer flags.
Follow the monks into the inner courtyard and take your place for a guided meditation experience. Close your eyes, steady your breathing and let the quiet contemplation commence...
When the closing bell chimes, meet your guide for a gentle three-to-four-hour walk between Namo Buddha and Dhulikhel. And when you reach Old Dhulikhel, join pilgrims at the local temple and give the prayer wheels a good spin – a little good-karma stockpiling before your Nepal adventure comes to an end tomorrow.
Consider your Nepal adventure a roaring success: temples toured, trails tackled and mindfulness (hopefully) mastered. With that rather impressive checklist complete, it’s time to embark on the journey home.
Polish off one last traditional breakfast at the hotel this morning before your one-hour private transfer back to Kathmandu Airport. From here, board your 14-hour flight back to the UK, stopping at a Middle Eastern hub along the way, perfect for a final duty-free splurge.
You’ll return home with a camera roll full of mountain views, a few meditation tricks up your sleeve and enough memories to keep the thrill alive... until the next adventure calls.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
KATHMANDU LIKE A LOCAL
One of the best ways to experience the pulsating Nepalese capital is to see it through the lens of a local. Meet your local guide, who knows all things Kathmandu, and set off in search of the city’s favourite haunts and unsung gems. In keeping with Nepal’s spiritual side, simply go with the flow and follow whatever catches your eye, whether that’s a rickshaw-rattled side street, a sacred shrine or a charming café. Travelling with any self-confessed shopaholics? Perhaps duck into a local market and admire the treasure trove of shiny trinkets (let the bartering and buying commence). And as you explore, fire off a whole host of questions to your guide about modern-day Nepal as well as any insider tips and recommendations for the rest of your time here.SOOTHING SPA EXPERIENCE IN NAGARKOT
Feeling a few post-trek twinges? Nagarkot’s wellness traditions offer just the tonic. Retreat to the spa, where Himalayan and Ayurvedic treatments have been soothing weary limbs for centuries. Start with Shirodhara, a therapy that involves gently pouring warm medicinal oil over the forehead and scalp, which soothes the nervous system. Then, take your pick from a silver platter of rejuvenating spa rituals, from a classic Swedish massage to ancient practices designed to rebalance your chakras (energy centres). Consider your inner equilibrium suitably restored.PRIVATE YOGA CLASS IN NAMO BUDDHA
Stretch your spiritual pursuits even further, quite literally, with a guided hatha yoga session in Namo Buddha. This traditional form of yoga focuses on harmonising opposing energies within the body through slow, thoughtful motions (no frantic pose-switching here). With your yogi-instructor leading the way, breathe, bend and balance through a series of movements – by the end, you’ll have positively perfected your downward dog.WITH A FEW MORE DAYS… CROSS INTO INDIA AND BHUTAN
If your diary allows for a few more days away, why not make the most of your location on the subcontinent and extend your trip to neighbouring India and Bhutan? In India, plunge into a whirlwind of ancient faiths and everyday chaos, where temple bells chime, calls to prayer drift from mosques and tuk-tuks honk their way through dizzyingly busy streets. And between each culture-packed adventure, indulge in another quintessentially Indian ritual: aromatic cups of chai by the dozen. Or, in lesser-visited Bhutan, the pace slows considerably. Discover fortress-like dzongs and hike between Buddhist monasteries, drinking in Himalayan views along the way. And with all that peace and quiet? The conditions for achieving spiritual enlightenment are looking pretty perfect...
Why visit Nepal with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Nepal
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
